Battery Pack Sidewall Structure for Uniform Cell Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face the challenge of locally applying loads to battery cells when a load is applied to one of the lateral walls of the battery case, leading to deformation and localized stress on the cells.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fragile portion in the shape of a frame or recessed portion in at least one of the lateral walls, which is lower in rigidity than the central portion, to concentrate stress and fracture under load, thereby distributing the load across a wider area and preventing local application to the battery cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the lateral wall is made with uniform rigidity, then the structural strength is maintained, but the load is locally applied to the battery cells causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral wall is designed with non-un rigidity distribution by introducing a fragile portion with reduced thickness. This creates different mechanical properties in different regions: the central portion maintains high rigidity to support battery cells, while the fragile portion has lower rigidity to fracture first under load, redirecting stress distribution and preventing localized deformation of battery cells.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the lateral wall deforms from the connection portion, then the load is redistributed, but the battery cells experience localized stress concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The fragile portion acts as a stress-redistributing intermediary element. When load is applied to the lateral wall, the fragile portion fractures first, serving as a mediator that redirects the load path away from the battery cells and toward the stronger central portion and bottom wall connection, thereby preventing stress concentration on the cells.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fragile portion is introduced to prevent local load application, then the load distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral wall is segmented into distinct functional zones: a central portion with normal thickness for structural support, and a fragile portion with reduced thickness for stress redistribution. This segmentation is achieved through a simple geometric feature (reduced thickness region) that can be integrated into the existing battery case manufacturing process, minimizing additional complexity while achieving improved load distribution.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The fragile portion effectively distributes the load across the battery pack's lateral wall, preventing local stress on the battery cells and ensuring that the load is applied uniformly, thus enhancing the battery pack's structural integrity and preventing cell damage.
Implementation Method 1
stress can be concentrated on the fragile portion when a load is applied to one of the lateral walls of the battery case
Implementation Method 2
the fragile portion provided in the shape of the frame fractures, and a load from the outside acts on the battery pack with a wide range of the lateral wall
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack according to the present disclosure is equipped with a battery case that accommodates a plurality of battery cells laminated on one another. The battery case includes a bottom wall that faces bottom surfaces of the battery cells, and four lateral walls that are connected to the bottom wall and that face lateral surfaces of the battery cells respectively. At least one of the four lateral walls includes a central portion that faces the battery cells, and a peripheral portion located around the central portion. The peripheral portion includes a fragile portion that is provided in the shape of a frame in such a manner as to cover the central portion and that is lower in rigidity than the central portion.